A civil forum was held at the Zrinyi Miklós National Defence University (ZMNDU) on 15 February, a week before the EU Defence Ministers’ informal meeting. The event organized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Defence aimed at informing NGOs and civil organizations about the priorities of the Hungarian EU Presidency.
The Hungarian-Romanian environmental protection committee was convened for the eighth time. The meeting took place in Nagyvárad where Sándor Fazekas from the Ministry of Rural Development and László Borbély Minster of Environmental Protection and Forestry signed a decree regarding to the committee's activities during the previous year and for next year.
Hungary as member of the European Union and as the current President of the Council of the European Union welcomes the peaceful and genuine execution of the referendum on self-determination for Southern Sudan.
The minister for national economy had proposed that a stability reserve of 250bn HUF be set up as part of the budget. This stability fund will protect Hungary from unforeseeable external economic developments without having to modify this year’s budget under any circumstances.
As previously agreed, the group of specialists who took part in discussions with media specialists from the European Commission on Monday have sent their letter of reply.
The Hungarian Presidency is committed to protecting EU borders and playing a key role in the activities of border security agency Frontex, Interior Minister, Sándor Pintér, declared on 9 February 2011 in Gödöllő, a city near Budapest. The minister delivered his speech at the meeting of Frontex’s Management Board.
Speech of Viktor Orbán.
On 8 February 2011, the transport ministers of the 27 Member States, European Commission Vice-President Siim Kallas and Chairman of the TRAN Committee of European Parliament Brian Simpson held a policy debate on the review of the TEN-T trans-European transport network at Gödöllő. The participants of the informal ministerial meeting initiated by the Hungarian Presidency reviewed issues related to transport network planning methodology and financing.
NATO Assistant Secretary General for Defence Investment (ASG/DI) Patrick Auroy paid a two-day official visit to Hungary. He was received by Deputy State Secretary for Defence Economy Gábor Márki in his office at the MoD. The Assistant Secretary General was accompanied by Deputy Assistant Secretary General, Director of the Air Defence and Airspace Management István Talla (DASG/DI/ADAM).
“Hungary and the Hungarian Defence Forces are seeking a broad and deep cooperation with allies and partners, “Minister of Defence Csaba Hende pointed out in his speech at the 11th annual Israel security conference in Herzliya.
Despite the ongoing volatility of the international capital markets, mainly caused by renewed concerns about the worsening financial situation in some of the developed countries, the Hungarian government securities market worked well and provided smooth and stable financing for the government throughout 2010.
The first expert seminar of the Hungarian EU Presidency organised by the Ministry of Defence, was held on February 3. The Hungarian Minister of Defence, Dr Csaba Hende, opened the conference on the current issues of EU Defence Capabilities. The event was attended by 150 defence and security experts, coming from 27 Member States of the EU.
On 1 February 2011, the Hungarian Presidency of the Council launched the final, conciliation phase of the novel food regulation procedure, a simplified and centralised authorisation system for innovative food products.
The troops deployed in Kosovo have been awarded NATO medals with the words "In the service of peace and freedom" on them.
In his visit to the Nógrád County Government Office, the Minister of Public Administration and Justice underlined the need to restructure regional public administration. Tibor Navracsics – who was inspecting the government office, and who also took part in a staff meeting – went on to say that there is a consensus among specialists in the field of public administration that the restructuring process is needed.
The Government would make the night life safer by modifying several related statutory provisions. The Government’s decision says organisers of an event with more than 300 guests and those of outdoor parties expecting more than 1,000 guests will in future have to apply for permits from authorities. – The Interior Minister Sándor Pintér announced.
Following daily consultations with the European Commission and Germany it has become evident that enhanced controls on affected feed manufacturers and farms are performed effectively, and the identification and withholding of products potentially contaminated by dioxin is ensured.
The Ministry of Defence and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will organise an expert seminar on Pooling and Sharing of Defence Capabilities on February 3 in Budapest. The participants come from various EU institutions and research institutes of 27 Member States. The event will be opened by the Minister of Defence of the Hungarian Republic Dr Csaba Hende.
Zoltán Kovács, Minister of State for Government Communication, announced on Monday that the Government had replied to the letter written in connection with the media legislation by Neelie Kroes, the European Commission Vice-President, and to the three observations she made on the legislation’s provisions related to EU harmonisation of laws.
An informal meeting of EU Defence Policy Directors was held in Budapest on 27-28 January 2011.